Human Design Authority Explained: How to Trust Your Inner Compass

What is Human Design Authority?

In Human Design, your Authority is your personal decision-making tool. It’s the internal process that guides you toward what’s correct for you. Your Authority shows you how to listen to your body and inner wisdom instead of overthinking or relying on advice from others that doesn’t resonate.

Everyone has an Authority based on the energy centers defined in their chart. While each type of Authority is different, the goal is the same: to help you trust yourself and make aligned decisions.

The 7 Types of Human Design Authority

Below are the seven types of Human Design Authority, explained in the order of the most common to the most rare:

1. Sacral Authority

If you have Sacral Authority, your gut feeling is your guide. You’ll notice an immediate “yes” or “no” response when you encounter decisions. It may feel like a non-verbal grumble or physical sensation. This authority works best when you trust those visceral, in-the-moment reactions. Many people with Sacral Authority have learned to ignore those responses, or have trouble connecting to their body to feel them. When your sacral energy turns on, it’s a green light to move forward. If you feel resistance or hesitation, it’s a sign to pause or say no.

Sacral beings (Generators and Manifesting Generators) thrive when they honor their gut response—it leads them to the satisfaction they’re here to experience.

2. Emotional Authority

People with Emotional Authority need time to ride the emotional wave before making decisions. Your feelings naturally fluctuate, and making clear, supportive decisions comes when the wave settles. Rushing into choices can lead to regret (to say the least), so it’s crucial to give yourself space and patience. The phrase: “Sleep on it” was made for you.

Rather than seeking a quick answer, see if you still feel the same way when you’re in a more neutral emotional place, and then you can confidently move forward, knowing your decision is aligned.

3. Splenic Authority

Splenic Authority is all about instinct and intuition. Your Spleen Center communicates in whispers, offering sudden insights or subtle nudges about what feels safe and healthy. These messages are fleeting, so paying close attention is key. If you’re not sure how to pay attention to them, learning grounding techniques that keep you present in the moment will be invaluable to you.

Splenic beings often have a deep sense of “knowing” in the moment, even if they can’t explain how they came to their conclusion. Trusting this instinct allows you to navigate life with precision and ease. The world may perceive your spontaneity as unusual, but it’s what will work for you.

4. Ego Authority

Ego Authority (also called Heart Authority) is rare and centers around your willpower and desires. If you have this Authority, you make decisions based on what you truly want, not what others expect. You’re designed to ask yourself, “Do I have the will and conviction for this?” If the answer is yes, trust it—it’s your heart’s way of saying you’re on the right path.

5. Self-Projected Authority

With Self-Projected Authority, your Identity Center leads the way. Your truth becomes clear when you speak it aloud, especially in the company of trusted friends or loved ones. Soundboarding helps you recognize whether a decision aligns with your identity and life direction. It’s not about asking for advice or approval, though. Processing out loud is for you to hear it yourself.

6. Environmental (Mental) Authority

Environmental Authority is for Projectors with undefined Sacral, Root, Ego/Heart and Emotional centers. Your decisions are best made by observing how different environments influence your clarity. Surrounding yourself with the right people and spaces allows you to sense what feels right for you. If you’re feeling unclear, it’s time to switch up your environment and possibly even your relationships.

You will also benefit from discussing your thoughts with trusted confidants, not to seek their advice or approval, but to gain insight from your own reflections.

7. Lunar Authority

The rarest authority, Lunar Authority, belongs exclusively to Reflectors. Your decision-making process mirrors the 28-day cycle of the moon, and giving yourself all that time to make a major decision allows you to gain clarity even when your moods and energy levels change. Reflectors are designed to move with the rhythms of the moon, allowing ample time to observe, feel, and reflect.

As a person who is ruled by the moon in my astro natal chart, I love helping Reflectors embrace this Authority. You’re here to live an unconventional, magical life, and honoring your Authority is a powerful step toward that.

Why Human Design Authority Matters

Understanding and trusting your Human Design Authority allows you to stop second-guessing yourself. Instead of following societal expectations or people-pleasing, you make choices rooted in your authentic energy and your inner wisdom. This process is transformative because it empowers you to:

• Trust yourself: Your Authority is always guiding you, even when external pressures try to sway you.
• Lead your own life: By aligning with your inner wisdom, you step into your role as the leader of your own story.
• Live authentically: Decisions aligned with your Authority feel natural and fulfilling, leading to a life that reflects your true self.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

Learning about your Human Design Authority is just the beginning. The next step is understanding how to work with it in your daily life.

That’s where my Personalized Human Design Guide comes in. This 18-page PDF offers an in-depth look at your Authority, along with your Aura Type, Strategy, Profile, Environment, and Energy Centers. It’s the perfect starting point for aligning with your inner compass and making empowered decisions.

You already have the tools to live a life that feels true to you. Human Design simply shows you how to use them.

Get Your Personalized Human Design Guide